I generally LOVE having guests come to visit, but, last night, after I put my jammies on, my doorbell rang. This lady, with a heavy German accent said, "Haalooo, I've brought your dog"........we don't have a dog, and if we did, it wouldn't have been this bedraggled, soggy, confused, hungry thing she had in tow. I acknowledged the fact that it was awfully cute, but I told her it isn't our pup. We are mostly cat people. She ordered me to get water and food. I didn't know what to do but follow her admonishment(something I rarely do, since I don't even pay attention to what my husband tells me to do). I brought water, then.well.all I haD WAS CAT FOOD! The dog took one sniff and looked at me like I was stupid or something, so, I took to the fridge, rummaging for something...........which turned out to be the last of my leftovers. I heated some turkey, added some of Dana's vegan stuffing, poured gravy over the mess and set it out for the orphan....she licked around everything vegan, ate the turkey and the gravy, and left the remainder all over my front deck! By now, I had gotten the story. These 2 ladies had been on their way somewhere, saw the dog roaming the street, put it into their car(they couldn't even remember where they found her), and since my porch light was on, brought her here. At this point, the 'spokeslady' turned on her heels and said." I will call you tomorrow. Give me your number. I want to know the dog is ok"......HEYYYYY!!!!  It's not my dog!!! I called Animal control......they open again at 9am.....police.... no facility, Sheriff......they don't pick up dogs.......soo, leaving things to chance, I decided to leave her on the front deck, and if...she..happened to ....wanderrrrr........offf..........she didn't! The cats were hissing at the front door, the dog was barking to come in, leaving slobber marks all over the sidelights, and, then, Gil got home. From him, I got the RickyRicardo routine.. "LUUCYYY! What has you done 'dis time???"......
By now, we've determined the dog is part pit bull, but still very much a puppy. I was trying soo hard not to bond with this dog, so I hadn't even checked for hangy-downy things that might indicate maleness.I just called him Buster, and took him into the garage, Gil went and bought him some dog food, and she was warm, dry and moderately happy-although, we could see, there was something in her expression that made us feel she was missing her humans. We stayed up late with her, then took turns letting her out to do her thing. At one point, she bolted.ON MY WATCH.and I had to chase her next door in soggy slippers and robe! She was a good little girl... but far more rambunctious than I expected! I wrangled her back into the garage, fed her again, and waited till 9am to take her, reluctantly, to the Pound, to await her fate! I just hate that place, but at 9am sharp, we were there, with her dragging me around the parking lot, tail wagging the whole way. We had to wait outside for about 15 mins till they could do her 'intake".......as we waited, panicked dog owners came and went, as did people turning in other dogs. I asked each anxious arrival if this was the dog they were looking for, but, no........till it was almost our turn. A young couple didn't even stop to talk as they frantically tried to open the door to the pound. A distraught young woman and her husband, both near tears faced me as I told them each person had to wait till the pound attendants 'invited'. them in.
"Buster" who had been renamed Holly(we saw her squat to potty) was now wiggling all over and barking up a storm...........the young couple looked over just as "Holly" drug me into a mud puddle and practically knocked the couple over, giving them kisses and making some kinda keening noises.....she was thrilled, they were thrilled.........and I felt MUCH better, knowing she was going home, rather than into a cage......
The lady hasn't called, the porch is cleaned up..............but, I still have memories of my Houseguest.......Gil and I need to go shopping.
You see, while she was quietly awaiting her fate in our garage last night, she demolished ONE  EACH of our tennies, then hid the evidence!
The cats will forgive us at some point........
OH, BTW.NONE of this woudln't have happened if the dog was wearing tags..........
Y'all come now, Heayah??

Cathi :D

What was it WC Fields said? "No difference between fish and houseguests, they all stink after a few days">>>>>>>>>

Couldn't happen to a nicer... only you. Nice story, Cathi!    :)

What a wonderful story Cathi! You and Gil got huge hearts...reminds me of my Mom...she would have done the same...I am going to consider this my first Chistmas present [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Best,

Jon

From one animal lover to another, that was very touching what you did Cathi.  8-)

Now that's some guest story, Cathi!  

No picture?  ;)

Love ya,
Jackie

Wow, you sure are a lot nicer than me.  I guess clusters has made me a bitter bastard.
That woman would not have left a dog with me.......and that's all I am gonna say about that.

That's why I removed my doorbell.  

;)

BMoneeTheMoneeMan wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2008 at 9:43pm:

Wow, you sure are a lot nicer than me.  I guess clusters has made me a bitter bastard. That woman would not have left a dog with me.......and that's all I am gonna say about that.  ;)

Me too. I love dogs but I wouldn't have talked much to your "guest" or let a stray in my house under those circumstances. You never know.

Mean Old Charlie

Cathi - A couple years ago Phil and I took in a stray.  This poor little thing followed him around on his mail route everyday.  Finally he talked me into taking her in.  We got her home and got her cleaned up gave her food and water.  The next day she was throwing up and pooping all over the place.  I took her to the vet and it ended up that she had Parvo.  The vet gave her some shots and gave me meds to give to her, but she died on the 3rd day that we had her.  

A few days after she died, Phil was out on the mail route.  He saw fliers with the little ones picture on it.  Turns out the dog belonged to one of his customers.  He told them what had happened and that we tried to save her.  They were heartbroken, but happy that we tried to save their dog.

WeLLLLL, I think you were mean and cruel -- YOU made that poor little thing sleep in the GARAGE when you had a nice warm HOUSE!!!  :) :) :) How RUDE!!!! ::)

I'm a sucker for a "poor little puppy" and I loved the story. That's why my yard is litered with "strays". There's a sign at my driveway that says "Welcome!"

Hugs BD

Jon, Kevin!!!!!  
LOL! I am NOT  nice! I don't want that rumor getting out...we'll look like Grand Central Station here :-/!! That woman issued ORDERS, and I simply had to comply! I dunno, but she was NOT having any argument, so, I complied!
Being cat lovers the population ebbs and flows around here. I surely don't neede a dog to ruffle feathers...and I hadn't a clue what this puppy would do if she went face-to-face with a cat or 2.......she WAS part pitbull, and I was afraid she'd turn a cat into a chew toy, given the chance.
Jen, I had a similar sitch. Before my beloved Hawkeye came along, we had a puppy I called Feather . She adopted us, and she is how I discovered what a wonderful breed shit-tsus are. She, too, had parvo. I loved her for a weekend.
Jacks, I would've taken her pic, but I was afraid she'd chew on the camera! LOL!

MAKE YOUR DOGS WEAR THEIR TAGS!  

:DCathi

Love that the story had a happy ending! :)

You're a good hostess Cathi! ;)

Oh That is a good story ! Good thing she didn't come here, seems like when a animal comes here it stays here. I am a sucker for stay animals.
If I had my way I would have a farm and have pigs, chicken and I want a donkey. I would like to have a dozen kids too.

Flipperlips that is a sad story. That parvo is bad. I take my strays to the vet as soon as they arrive here. I don't let them around my dogs until they been checked out. You have a good heart.

When we moved into our new home, 11 years ago, a sickly, stray, worm infested, half dead cat, showed up on our porch. 11 years and several hundred dollars in vet bills later, later she is STILL with us! My wife the softy!!!! ;)

Guiseppi

Cathi---You know that you are the love of my life, because of all the people on this board you have called me, as well as my main man Tanner- capital letters for TANNER- Because he and Linda have a special place in Heaven. I love all of you guys--and I ONLY wish ALL of you Prosperity!!!!!!!!

ZWIBBY! I never get to chat with you anymore! I saw your Cuisinart resort included in a special I was watching on Travel......did you and your wife make it this year?
When you have some time, we'll talk.........I'm pretty much a house........err, domestic Goddesss till this economy picks up!
Meantime....... happy Holliedaze!!!!

Cathi :-*

Cathi_Pierce wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2008 at 9:28am:

Jon, Kevin!!!!!   LOL! I am NOT  nice! I don't want that rumor getting out..

OH...pish posh!...(I ALWAYS wanted to say THAT)...SECOND Christmas present...thank yew! ;D

Best,

Jonboy